Cultural Diversity Training Day

Along with the Sarnia-Lambton Local Immigration Partnership (LIP), we're hoping to make it easier for local not-for-profit organizations to understand and appreciate diversity with a Cultural Diversity Training Day on Tuesday, June 19, 2012 at Lambton Shared Services, Bayside Mall.

Our partnership with the Sarnia-Lambton LIP began last year to build a Newcomers and Immigrants Volunteer Program that would reach out to those people new to Sarnia-Lambton and encourage them to become involved in the community. This is an important program because our community has become more visibly diverse in recent years and it is vital that those new to the community feel welcome and have the opportunity to become engaged.  In addition to reaching out to residents the program will reach out to organizations so they can be aware of what to expect and how to handle possible barriers when dealing with residents new to Sarnia-Lambton and sometimes even Canada.

The Cultural Diversity Training is separated in to two sessions.  Christina Fanelli, MIR, BBA, will facilitate a morning training session entitled Valuing Differences: Diversity in the Workplace. This training will cover: Understanding and defining diversity; Developing awareness; Challenging assumptions and personal stereotypes and; Addressing sensitive and unfamiliar issues, developing coping skills. The morning session runs from 8:30 – 11:30 a.m.

The afternoon session will be facilitated by the Sarnia-Lambton LIP and Sarnia Gives. The presentation will include: Cultural competency worksheets and assessment tools; Information on local resources;  An overview of the Immigrant & Newcomer Volunteer Program and; A panel discussion with newcomer & immigrant volunteers and volunteer organizations.  The afternoon session runs from 1:00 – 3:30 p.m.

Jeneane Fast, Social Researcher for the Sarnia-Lambton LIP says they are "very excited about our partnership with Sarnia Gives. The new program and this upcoming event directly align with our goal of creating a more diverse and welcoming Sarnia-Lambton that better reflects the changes happening in our community.”

To register for the training, visit www.sarniagives.com/pd-conference-cultural-diversity.html.  There is no cost to attend for Sarnia Gives member organizations.  For non-members, the morning or afternoon only is $15.00 or you can attend the full day for $25.00.